Overview
- After Week 8 against the New York Jets, the Raiders gave Mike Washington Jr. 25 carries for 83 yards while Ashton Jeanty finished with two touches for nine yards.
- Klint Kubiak said he made the call to increase Washington's role and described the backfield split as a 'moving target' to be set by performance and matchups.
- Media reporting described the Week 8 usage change as a 'wake-up call' intended to push Jeanty to improve and warned the team would favor Washington if Jeanty’s rushing does not pick up.
- The Raiders still plan to use all three backs—Jeanty, Washington and Dylan Laube—with Jeanty kept involved for his receiving and pass-blocking skills despite underwhelming rushing numbers.
- The upcoming game at San Francisco will be an early test of the approach because the 49ers’ strong front could shape whether Washington keeps a heavy workload or the Raiders return more carries to Jeanty.